How's the Plastic Fuel Tank Shield Holding Up Offroad?

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M

Michael1

10 Year 15 Year
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May 11, 2006
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One of the things that bothers me is the plastic fuel tank shield. It doesn't look like it would do anything but protect the tank from thrown up stones. Anyone damaged their fuel tank yet? Is there a metal shield available?

Michael
 
Michael,

Currently there are no alternatives available besides the stock plastic stuff. There is an owner that made his own skids:

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I saw that vehicle last Saturday at the Trail Team even at Reiter Trails in WA. state.

Him & his dad will be fabbing these up for others before to long.

The skids looked very beefy.
 
The tank hanging down is a MAJOR negitave for me.

I can't believe toyota would build a truck made for the offroad and leave the tank hanging down (and the Tcase), and not put grab bars inside for everyone, and the rear lights sticking out (these would get broken).

I am not asking for a SFA and diesel (which I would like). The tank and tcase need to be fixed (and grab bars. This is a pet peeve) and rear lights.

These are basic issues that toyota should address. They WILL drag and COULD brake. I am more worried about the gas here.

I agree I have not seen any busted tanks on 4runners (they hang too), but almost every 4runner I see (which is used offroad) have dents in the tank. And I am not talking about crawlers. I am talking about just everyday life going to trail heads and foresty service roads. Most 4runner people I know complain about get hung up on the tank. It would also be nice for the tcase to be tucked up. As strong as it is, it will still drag on break over.

As much as I try I just can't seem to love the FJC (and I really want to).

End rant.

Cheers.
Nick
 
Last edited:
nickw said:
The tank hanging down is a MAJOR negitave for me.

I can't believe toyota would build a truck made for the offroad and leave the tank hanging down (and the Tcase), and not put grab bars inside for everyone, and the rear lights sticking out (these would get broken).

I am not asking for a SFA and diesel (which I would like). The tank and tcase need to be fixed (and grab bars. This is a pet peeve) and rear lights.

These are basic issues that toyota should address. They WILL drag and COULD brake. I am more worried about the gas here.

I agree I have not seen any busted tanks on 4runners (they hang too), but almost every 4runner I see (which is used offroad) have dents in the tank. And I am not talking about crawlers. I am talking about just everyday life going to trail heads and foresty service roads. Most 4runner people I know complain about get hung up on the tank. It would also be nice for the tcase to be tucked up. As strong as it is, it will still drag on break over.

As much as I try I just can't seem to love the FJC (and I really want to).

End rant.

Cheers.
Nick
Click to expand...



Question is do you own one?

If not you should buy one, you'll love it!
 
The tail lights do stick out, but in real world wheeling, I have found them to be fairly protected. I ran the side of the truck down a tree today, and by the time the tail lights got to it, the truck is already away from the tree. That said, I will be buying a set of lo-profile lights as soon as they are out.
The gas tank has been designed with a step in it. It coincides with the rear links. It is fairly protected, but I do wonder why they gave it a plastic skid plate. I will be getting a skid for that, too.:D
As for the transfercase...almost all Toyotas have the same placement of the transfercase. It's always worked for me.:bounce:
 
Low gas tank is a by-product of the platform. It has been like this as a tradeoff for onroad/overall driving (check 3rd gen 4Runners, Prados- same low gas tank)

The front is cleverly ramped (at the expense of capacity) but this composite tank can be smashed to the frame rails and will not leak. Of course, that's not ideal but it wont leave you stranded either.

t-case is tucked up as well as can be. It needs a good skidplate that's all.

Taillights are poorly designed. period. If flush, it could have been a really slick, tucked rear quarter panel.

Certainly not ideal for wheeling but I don't think it's a dealbreaker, especially since all the places most people will offroad a FJC are within the limits of the vehicle. The Toyota Trails Team is going around trying to prove the point.

Denying the downside is as futile as ignoring the upside, imo.

Find the weaknesses and improve them. That's where modding fever kick in :D
 
Hey guys,

I agree with your points, and I do like the FJC.
I think it is a good value for your $.
I think it has a lot going for it.
I just would like to see a few things changed.
I think they compromised to much functionallity for look.

I looked at getting one. But I much prefer my HDJ81.

Maybe I will make another thread (with in a few days) to talk about it more.
I don't really want to hijack this thread.

Cheers,
Nick
 
We have had no problems with the tank being too vulnerable. However, we have used two different aftermarket skid plates on the central team. One left the tank completely exposed and the other covered it completely with 1/8" steel. The skid plate that covered it deformed and reduced our fuel capacity by about 4 gallons.

We recently changed out this skid plate for the one that leaves the tank exposed. The tank actually returned to its original capacity. To me that is a very durable design. I only wish it allowed enough clearance in the front for Marlin's crawler box in order to allow owners that option.

Everybody thinks the taillights are so prone to taking a hit. They have not been a problem at all. Just look in your mirrors when you make a turn. I like the size of the taillights for getting tailgaters attention. To me that is more of a threat to your FJ.
 
I've got some large gashes taken out the bottom and it's taken some good hits:whoops: , it's holding up and I really abuse this vehicle, why not kevlar skidplates,what's with the plastic(a belly of steel is how it's advertised)( I want to give a big hug to the engineers until they cant breathe). Definitely looking for skid plates when ever they become available.
 
kevlar is a fabric like carbon fiber. Great structural material but low on abrasion resistance... stronger than steel but can be cut w/ sandpaper.
 
TrAiLbUs1 said:
I've got some large gashes taken out the bottom and it's taken some good hits:whoops: , it's holding up and I really abuse this vehicle, why not kevlar skidplates,what's with the plastic(a belly of steel is how it's advertised)( I want to give a big hug to the engineers until they cant breathe). Definitely looking for skid plates when ever they become available.
Click to expand...

I was just at Demello in Santa Ana, CA . They are developing a skid plate for the gas tank, not yet ready for market.
 
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